Neutral grasslands: Ferney Bottom Meadows
Neutral grasslands are abundant across the Peak District, particularly where the soil is deeper and more productive. Most have undergone agricultural improvement and now contain just a few productive species of grass. Where unimproved and semi-improved neutral grasslands remain, as they do at Ferney Bottom Meadows, more species-diversity is seen.
Grasses such as sweet vernal grass, quaking grass, meadow foxtail, red fescue and crested dogs tail are common; as are flowers such as yellow rattle, field scabious, lady's bedstraw, cowslip, oxeye daisy and knapweed.
|
 |
These play host to butterflies such as the meadow brown and moths such as the burnet. Elsewhere in the Peak District, neutral grasslands also support the scarce adders tongue fern and important populations of Jacobs Ladder, a nationally rare flower. A number of priority local Biodiversity Action Plan species inhabit these grasslands, including skylarks, lapwings, curlew and the brown hare. These are joined by other species, including meadow pipits, barn owls, little owls, rabbits, stoats and weasels.
Many unimproved and semi-improved neutral grasslands have been lost to aggregate extraction however through sympathetic restoration of former quarry sites the potential exists to recreate and extend the habitat across the Peak. |
 |
